Experience in Dominica should help Golden Eagles on court in 2010-11

Photo: The team upon arrival at the airport in
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It is 1,591 miles from Cookeville to
Santiago in the Dominican Republic. Or 2,561 kilometers. Or 1,383
nautical miles.

Any way you measure the distance, the Tennessee Tech men’s
basketball team was a long way from home last week during its tour
to the Dominican Republic. Coach Mike Sutton’s team
returned to campus Thursday, just in time for the start of the Fall
semester on Monday. He says the experience will benefit his squad
this season.

“Everybody is back safe-and-sound and healthy,” Sutton
said. “It was a wonderful opportunity. We got a chance to see
all our kids perform in game situations. The competition level
differed from top-flight professional programs to lesser ones, but
every game was a challenge. They are very enthusiastic about their
basketball in the Dominican Republic.”

The trip was sponsored by G.O. Ministries, a Christian non-profit
organization dedicated to the ministry of short-term missions, with
the goal of preparing participants to support the efforts of
Christian leaders abroad.

“We are all so grateful to the entire G.O. Ministries
staff for their support and work on the tour,” Sutton said.
“I think our team truly realizes how blessed they are and how
much they appreciate what we have here in the United States and I
am so proud of the way they represented the University, the Tech
basketball program, Cookeville and themselves in the DR.”

Tech arrived on Friday and faced four games during a 30-hour
span on Friday and Saturday.

“It presented a lot of challenges, but it was a great
experience for our kids,” Sutton said. “We got in a lot
of basketball.”

Overall, Tech went 5-2 on the trip and Sutton was able to see how
well his newcomers will mesh with the returnees. The 2010-11 Golden
Eagle roster will include six new faces.

“I was really pleased with how we responded,” Sutton
said.

Two players who were on the squad last season but sitting out as
redshirts, Zac Swansey and Chase Dunn saw their first action.

“Those are two new players who really aren’t
new,” Sutton said. “It was really good to see them in
game situations. Chase was really good in the nightcap of the
second day. He scored about 25 points in that game.”

Sutton liked what he saw from his other newcomers. That included
sophomore Matt Marseille, a transfer from Centenary, freshman Javon
McKay from Dunwoody (Ga.) High School, 7-foot junior Liam McMorrow,
a transfer from Marquette who has sat out the past two seasons, and
freshman Dennis Ogbe from Germany.

“We got to see our two international students and I was
pleased with both of them,” Sutton said. “Not only is
Liam a little rusty, but this was only his 25th game of
organized basketball. Dennis has a lot of experience and he was
really impressive as well.”

Those six new ingredients mixed well with the returnees, according
to the veteran coach.

“Jud Dillard and Terrell Barnes played well. I thought Jud
may have been our best overall player on the trip. Zach Bailey
picked us up and carried us in one game to help us win.

“That was one of the advantages of playing so many games in a
short period of time. We had to use lot of guys and it really
gave us a great opportunity,” Sutton said.

Back on familiar ground on Tech’s campus, classes begin
Monday so the Golden Eagles will get back into the schedule
that’s regulated by NCAA rules, according to Sutton.

“We’re limited on the number of players we can have in
the gym and in the weight room, so until we can begin practice on
October 15, our guys will need to build on the experiences they had
on the trip,” Sutton said. “They’ll get back with
coach (Chip) Pugh and his staff and hit the weight room, and just
work to build on the success they had on the tour.”